Nothing can possible go more wrong than a pesky neighbor of your holiday home complaining about guests to the homeowner association or the local authorities. It can be really embarrassing for both the guests and you. There have been several occasions when the owner of a holiday home had to go through a lot of hassles because a neighbor complained that your guests were playing loud music or partying late into the night, etc. Instances like these aside, there are several other overzealous neighbors who complain even at the slightest drop of a utensil or upon seeing a couple of unfamiliar faces in the backyard. However with a little diplomacy, owners can actually turn these pesky neighbors to their advantage. Well, in this article I will discuss a few ways where you can establish close rapport with your neighbors that will definitely help you:
First of all, if you are about to start your vacation rental business, even before you receive your first guest, go and say hello to your neighbors. If you are already running the business, it is still not too late. Tell them how the entire vacation rental business works. If the neighbor had earlier complained try to find out what the situation actually was. Better still! If you are there for a couple of days, invite them for a lunch or dinner at your house. A meal together can be a real ice-breaker and can ease the tensions and their apprehensions about you and the vacation rental business in general.
Leave your contact details with the neighbor. Tell him that in case of any untoward incident, he can actually call you instead of calling the homeowner association of the local authorities.
Reassure him that the guests who come to stay are screened properly and he should not worry about any security breach or unruly behavior. Brief him a little about how you screen guests before you say 'yes' to them. Also show him the rules and guidelines you have prepared for guests to abide by to ensure that neighbors are not disturbed.
Make him the eyes and ears of your vacation rental. Unless your neighbor is a cranky old loner, ideally spending some time talking to them can change even the peskiest neighbor into a cooperative one. For a holiday home owner who does not stay in the property, the neighbor can actually play a vital role in running it. Establishing a good rapport with them can mean that you don’t need someone to keep the keys of the house with.
For guests, create a list of dos and don’ts. Make sure that your guests are informed about the evening party timings in the neighborhood. Include a clause in your rental agreement about the subsequent penalties for violations of these timings and in case of neighbors complaining to you about any disorderly or drunken behavior. For more read our related article on ‘Creating Enforceable Holiday Home Rules for Guests.’
Now who doesn’t like a gift! So, next time when you are coming to your vacation home, don’t forget to bring a gift for your neighbor. It need not be a grand one; it’s the gesture that counts.
Hope the article will help you put an end to neighbors complaining now and then. You have had faced such situations with your neighbors, do share with us how you handled them.